Expeditionary Light Tank BAE Systems air deployable tracked armored

: 26 April 2020

BAE Systems Expeditionary Light Tank Air Deployable Vehicle

Description

Technical Data

Specifications

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Expeditionary Light Tank ELT BAE Systems air deployable airborne vehicle US American defense industry 640 002

Description

The Expeditionary Light Tank is an improved version of the M8 AGS (Armoured Gun System) designed and manufactured by the Company BAE Systems. Following an international competition, in mid-1992 the US Army selected the FMC Corporation, Ground Systems Division (now United Defense LP), to design and build its Armored Gun System (AGS) to replace the M551 Sheridan light reconnaissance vehicle uses mainly by U.S. airborne troops. This tank was presented for the first time to the public at AUSA (U.S. Army Association Annual Meeting and Exposition) which was held in Washington D.C. from 12 to 14 October 2015. The vehicle is proposed by BAE Systems to meet the US Army's requirement for a Mobile Protected Firepower capability, which would involve an expeditionary light tank that could be air-dropped or transported by C-130 military aircraft. The BAE Systems solution is based on the purpose-built M8 Armored Gun System, modernized with mature technologies from the CV90 family of infantry fighting vehicles and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The mission for this vehicle is to have the ability to be airdropped behind enemy lines and takes a position until the arrival of the main forces.

Variants:

Technical Data

Armament

The main armament of the BAE Systems Expeditionary Light Tank (ELT) is similar to the M8 AGS with one 105 mm gun is fully stabilised in both axes with an elevation of +20º and a depression of -10º through a frontal 270º arc. Turret traverse is a full 360º. Turret traverse and weapon elevation are hydraulic with manual controls for emergency use. The ELT is fitted with an automatic ammunition loader located in the left side of the turret with 21 rounds of 105mm ready to fire that gives the capacity to fire 12 rounds per minute. The tank can carry a total of 30 rounds. The gun can fire a full range of ammunition as APFSDS-T (Armor Piercing, Fin Stabilized, Discarding Sabot - Tracer), APERS (anti-personnel ammunition), WP (White phosphorus), HEAT (High explosive anti-tank) and HESH (High-explosive squash head). A 7.62mm machine gun is mounted to the right side of the main armament and one 12.7mm heavy machine gun is mounted on the commander's cupola. A bank of eight grenade launchers is mounted on each side at the front of the turret. A bank of eight grenade launchers is mounted to front left side of the turret.

Design and protection

The BAE Systems Expeditionary Light Tank (ELT) is based on the Bradley IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) hull. The ELT layout is similar to the M8 AGS with the driver position at the front, the turret in the middle and powerpack at the rear. Several stowage boxes are mounted to the right side of the vehicle. At the rear part of the turret there is a trapdoor to eject empty cartridge case. The light version of ELT is made on all-welded aluminium armour which provides protection from small arms fire and shell splinters. This version is designed for rapid deployment force and can be airdropped with a weight of 18,000 kg. The ELT can be fitted with two armour package. The level 2 armour package increases level of protection with a combat weight of 20,800 kg. The level 3 armour package increases the survivability against anti-tank guided missile and RPG (Rocket-Propelled Grenade) threats with a weight of 23,580 kg.

Mobility

No information was given by BAE Systems about the powerpack but the Expeditionary Light Tank could use the same engine as the M8 AGS which is motorized with a six-cylinder Detroit Diesel Model 6V-92TA developing 550 hp at 2,400 rpm on JP8 fuel and 580 hp on DF2 diesel fuel fitted at the rear of the hull. The torsion bar suspension consists on each side of six dual rubber-tyred road wheels, idler at the front, drive sprocket at the rear and no track-return rollers.

Accessories

The BAE Systems Expeditionary Light Tank is equipped with gunner sight including an Infra-Red Equipment (HIRE) which is a high-performance thermal imaging system consisting of three modular components, the sensor and gunner's display, commander's remote display and the power supply/electronics. The sight also incorporates the laser range-finder and the line of sight stabilisation platform. The tank is also equipped with digital fire-control computer coupled with wind sensors mounted on the turret roof.

Specifications